“Thakur moshai erom korben na! Amader ek ghor korben na!”

( Please don't do this priest! Don't isolate us!)

My father says falling on his knees begging the priest.

Thakur moshai was the mukhyo thakur(head priest) where I lived. Though I never interacted with him much I never had the slightest idea he would do something like this.

Silent tears trickled down my eyes as my father begged him to not isolate us from the outer world because his only daughter has brought disgrace on the neighbourhood by being kidnapped by dacoits.

“Thakur moshai amar baba kichu  koreni. Shob dosh amar, amay shathi din, ja prayeshchitti korar ami korbo kintu erom korben na.” I say as I too fall on my knees and touch his feets to beg but he removes them even before I could.

(Priest my father didn't do anything. I did. I am the one at fault. Whatever repentance I have to do, I will but please don't isolate us.)

“Na tor moton mukhpurir sporsho amar chayi na.” Thakur said in a disgusted tone though his face was emotionless.

(No, I don't want the touch of a bastard like you.)

“Hotochari eta ki korte jachilish? Tor sporsho molin ekhn, jake dhori take char bar Chan kore Roghubir er kache khoma nite hobe.” someone made a snarky comment or rather first of the many comments which came out way.

The priest did not come alone to make the announcement of our isolation, he came with a crowd, a large assembly!

Within the crowd stood a lot of people. Most of whom I know from childhood like my friends with whom I was on the day I was kidnapped. All of us together were on our way back from the ghat(river bank) after bathing. It could have been anyone who was kidnapped. It could have been Rinku, who is now giving me a pathetic look. It could have been Shiuli, who is I guess showing a little sympathy by shedding some tears for my misfortune or even Khuku, who like Rinku is passing me a pathetic disgusting look.

Why is this happening to me? What is my fault in all of this? I never wanted to be kidnapped by the dacoits! I never wanted to be a sacrifice for their tantric practices either. I value my life more than anything, I wanted to live. I want to live! Is this my fault then?

Was my want to live the fault? Should I have given up on my attempt to escape and just accepted my fate? Is Maa Kali angry with me? Afterall I was a sacrifice for her, a tool to please her. Is that why along with me my family has to suffer?

I look up again at the familiar faces in the crowd. Oh God why is it not then but me? What have I ever done but be a good child? I have always-

My thoughts were cut short when amidst all this commotion something threw a mashal at my hut.

“Naa—!” I scream while my brother runs to get the pitcher. Throwing water to vanquish the fire.

“Erom meye hole barir ar ki hoye! Agni diye tor barir shudhu korlam, tor shudhi korte jodi cash tahole Agni porikkha dite hobe tarpor e tor r tor barir lok er sathe keu kotha bolbe.”

(What did you expect from your house girl? I purified your house with fire and now if you want to be accepted again into society, we will arrange for the Agniporikha ,fire baptism)

The one who threw the mashal shouts almost as a warning to the others present. They were setting an example that an impure woman wouldn't be accepted into society.

He was also a disciple of the priest, someone who was once rejected by my father as a prospective husband. This was his way of getting back at him for the humiliation he faced.

“Thakur moshai amar ek matro meye oke erom korte bolben na! O amar chokh er Moni, amar mon er tukro amar shorgiyo potnir antim ebong shob cheye kacher angsho! Oke ami ki kore agnipariksha korate pari? Or shobe dosh bochor boyosh” My father said his hands joined and touched the group while he bows.

(Priest she is my only daughter. How can you say something like that? She is the apple of my eye, a piece of my heart and the last as well as the most precious thing my wife has left me. How can I make her do Agnipariksha at the tender age of ten?)

“Lonkar theke ashar por Maa Sita jodi Agnipariksha dite pare tahole ei meye r o dite hobe!” the priest spat.

( If after being rescued from Lanka, Maa Sita had to give Agnipariksha, she would too!)

“ha ekdom thik bolechen thakur moshai!”, someone shouted.

“Na thakur moshai ami ei kosto amar bon ke korte debo na.” Borda who was silent all this time said.

“Ete or ki dosh eita e to ami bujhte parchi na. O ki dakat gulo ke bolechilo amake dhore niye ja? Naki thakur apnake eshe boleche je o oshusho hoye gache dakat er hath e pore?”

(I don't understand what is her fault. Did she ask the dacoits to kidnap her or is it the gods who came to you that said my sister is impure because she was kidnapped?)

My brother said picking me up.

“Agnipariksha ki go dada? Ki korte hoy ota te? Ota korle jodi enara amader chere deye ami kore nebo sheta dada.” i said in a low voice but loud enough for the priest to hear.

(What is Agnipariksha elder brother? Who do I have to do in there? If they leave us after I do that then I will perform Agnipariksha.)

“Bhalo, tahole Meyer ei tuku akkel ache je kon somoy ki korte hoye! Tahole ajke-”

(Good! Atleast the child knows what is she did wrong. The today-)

“Na! Amar meye kono Agnipariksha debe na”

(No! My daughter will not perform any Agnipariksha!)

“Thik Ache tahole, ebar theke tomra ekghora hole.”

(Okay then,from today your are considered untouchables and isolated from society)

“Keu eibari te ashbe na, keu ei barir jol tuku o sporsho korbe na, r ei meye ke o kue biye korbe na.”

(No one will come to this house, no one will drink the water from this house and no one will marry your daughter.)

“Chole hey shobai! Nijeder bari jao! R eibarir shathe jodi keu kono rokom shomporkow rekhecho ba kono rokom shahajo korecho take o ekghora kore dewa hobe!” The priest declared before leaving.

(Let's get going everyone! Go home all of you! And remember if anyone is seen talking or helping this family in any way will also be made into an untouchable.)

Slowly the crowd subsided, leaving us to fend for ourselves with no one to rely on.

Father was still on his knees unable to get up as tears kept falling from his eyes.

“Hey Bhogoban! Erom keno korlen amar shathe? Amar meye r shathe? Or ki dosh, ei to jibon shuru hoyche. Oke biye bo ke korbe r amra chole jawar por oke dekhbe o ke!”

My father exclaimed looking up at the sky while shooting both his hands up.

Brother placed a hand on his shoulder and said “Uthun Baba, Ghore cholun khb rod ekhane, khuki ei gorom shojjo korte parbe na.”

He was calm as ice, with no sign of sadness or at least that's what he has been trying to show to our father.

Father turned to look at up and nodded, “Ha baba”

(Yes dear)

He said still crying.

“Kichu bhabish na maa tor kichu hobe na tor baba dekhe nebe shobaike!” he said, patting my head and moving into the hut.

(Don't worry my dear nothing will happen to you, your dad will protect you from everyone)

Thanks for reading lovelies! I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter, if you did I hope you could leave a vote and comment on my story!

You can also follow me on instagram at @author.jade

Mohini Das:

It's been two years since the day my family was pronounced ekghora(Isolated). No one has helped us or even talked to us after that day. Not even people we considered close family.

They would pass by our house but pretend that no house existed. But yesterday while dad and brother were out to bath, Thakur Moshai came by our house.

“Ei meye, shon ekhane” he said with a disgusted face.

(Hey girl listen here)

Panicking, I didn't know what to do. I wasn't supposed to talk to them. That is what they said, that is what my brother said ekghora means, but then why was he talking to me now?

“Amar kintu beshi shomoy neyi ashinj ekhane. Ekta kotha shune ja”

( I don't want to talk to you for long. Just listen to what I have to say.)

“Ha thakur moshai bolen” I said, bowing my head.

(Yes, Thakur Moshai.)

“Boyosh koto holo tor?”

( How old are you this year)

“Baro, thakur moshai”

(Twelve)

“Ta nischoi biye-thawa r kotha bhabish ni?” He asked while passing a look to a man beside him.

(And of course you have not thought about marriage yet)

“Na na thakur Moshai orom kotha bhabte o nei. Amar moton ekghora howa meye ki kore biye r kotha mone Ane?” I fumbled, fidgeting with my saree.

(No sir! How can a girl like me even think about marriage?)

“Ha ta to botte.” He says in an understanding tone.

(That's what I am saying)

“Shon, ekta upaye ache jeta te tor barir r ekghore hoye thakte hobe na”

(Listen, there is a way your family by which your family's isolation will be lifted)

Looking up expectantly I asked, “ Ki upaye thakur moshai?”

(And what is that solution, Thakur Moshai)

“Bamon jonmano onek bhaggir kotha, ar bamon bari te biye kora r o punnir kaj. Onek bhaggo kore keu nichu jat theke bamon bari te biye korar punni paye.”

(Taking birth in a Brahmin family is the fruit of accumulated good deeds you have committed in your past life. And marrying into a Brahmin family requires great fortune. God's grace is needed for a woman to marry a man from a higher cast.)

“Hoyeto ager jonme kono punni korechili jetar jonno Roghunath toke bachanor jonno ei upaye bar kore dilo.” Jointing his hand he touches it to his head. Doing pranam in the name of Raghunath.

(Maybe you have done great deeds in your last life because of which Raghunath has given me this solution to save you)

“Ta eishob amay keno bolchen apni?” I asked genuinely confused.

(But why are you talking about that to me?)

“Eije eta holo Bhikhu, amar onek bochor er shirsho. Shobe poitirish par korlo. Biye korar mon hoyeche, ei eto bochor brahmachari hoye dhyan sadhonar por. Toke or mon e dhoreche.”

(Here, this is Bhikhu, an old discipline of mine. He just turned 35 and wishes to get married. After being brahmachari for so many years he has finally decided to settle down and you have apparently caught his eyes.)

“Bhebe dekh, tor moton opoya meye ke bamon barir ekta chele biye korte chaiche. Er je ki punni. Tor molin osthito er shathe biye korle abar punor shocho hoye jabe. R toder barir theke ekghora howar adesh o uthe jabe.” He said, while his disciple gave me a weird look.

(Think about it, a Brahmin boy has shown interest in marrying you. This is such a fortune for you. Your dirty existence will be purified after this marriage and your family's ekghora will also be lifted.)

“Eishob amake bole ki hobe go thakur moshai. Amar baba dada to amar eishob daito r kotha bojhe.” I said trying to escape this conversation.

(My dad and brother takes care of stuff like this. Please talk to them instead of me.)

“Tui o to ekhn shei chotto bacca to nei. Jo theshto boyosh hoyeche. R koto din bap dada r Ghar e bojha hoye thakbi? Bhalo lage dekhte nijer dada baba ke orom khathte? Nijer o kichu daito bodh ante hobe naki?” He scolded me.

(You are not longer that small child. You are old enough now. And for how long do you plan to be a burden to your brother and father? Do you find it entertaining to see them work so hard just to keep you protected? Now is the time for you to take responsibility.)

“Shon ami kal abar ashbo, tor uttor nite. Bhebe-chinte amay uttor dish.” He said in the same stern voice and left with his disciple who passed me a look which send a shiver through my spine.

(Listen, I'll visit you again tomorrow. Think about my proposal, and give me an answer then.)

Will me marrying a Brahmin really lift the shame from my family's name and turn everything to how it was before? But father told me that he will never get me married.

But what Thakur Moshai said today is also true. It is me because of whom my dad has to suffer in his old age.

My brother too has a family of his own, today or tomorrow, he will also welcome a child into this world, what will happen then? I can't let a child experience this life of isolation.

No! I am old enough to decide for myself what is good and what is bad. Tomorrow when Thakur Moshai will come I'll give him my answer and correct my mistake. I will make everything right.

We don't have to suffer any longer brother, father, Bouthan…

I will take responsibility…

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter, if you did I hope you could leave a vote and comment on my story!

You can also follow me on instagram at @author.jade

See you in the next chapter! Bye!

"Nayak Moshai eto lethal lagbe na. Ami to ei pashe r nodi te ektu ghurte jachi." I said waving my hand, dismissing him.

(Nayak Moshai, I don't need so many gaurds. It's just a visit to the river nearby.)

"Na Mej Babu, dinkal thik nei jodi Dakat hana deye tokhn ki korben? Ami Kotta ke ki jowab debo?"

(No Sire, what if you get attacked by dacoits? What will I say to the Master?)

"Eije Diganta ekhane ache. O apnar shathe jabe. Oke antoto niye jan, ei chottor or puro gule khawa. Kono osubidha hole apnake baciye niye ashte parbe" Nayak Moshai pleaded with joined hands.

(Please take Daganta with you. He knows this place really well and if any issue arises, he will escort you back safely.)

"Acha, thik ache, apnar moner Shanti r jonno ami Diganta ke niye jacchi" I sighed.

(Okay, for your mind to be as peace I will take Diganta)

"Chilo hey Diganta" I commanded.

(Let's go Diganta)

"Agge Kotta"

(Yes Sire)

I can't understand the hesitance of Nayak Moshai to let me out alone, especially at this time of the night. The last time someone from my family went out at night without any lethel, didn't come back home, or rather didn't come back home alive.

"Eije kotta, amra eshe gachi." he said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

(We are here Sire)

"Hmm thik ache, tumi dure r theke pahara dao ami ektu eka hatte chai."

(Hmm okay. Follow me from a distance I, want to be alone for the time being)

"Agge Kotta" he said moving back as I started walking past him.

(As you wish Sire)

Trying to take in the green smell of wet mud of rain, I carefully walk by the bank of the river. Lost deep in my thoughts.

"Huh" i exhaled slowly.

It's been an exhausting half a year. Everything came crashing down but I was still expected to keep standing tall and strong, as if I can't feel the pain. I should be feeling pain.

"Stress wasn't something a man should feel."

These were my father's words before my departure, and he was right. A man is the backbone, the support of a family. If a man breaks down and isn't able to work, what is the point of anything in his life? He doesn't deserve anything, he isn't worth anything.

A man's worth is in protecting his family and I failed to do that. I failed to protect Borda, my brother and I failed to protect my sister-in-law when those evil bastards came to take her.

I should have been the support that stopped them! But no! I didn't. Instead I became one of them. I participated in their gruesome ritual... and my excuse for participation? I was in a daze.

Everything happened so fast that I was in a daze. It's as my mind was possessed by a cowardly ghost whose speciality is to be meek and obedient.

At last after seeing no one will help her, in her most vulnerable state she could be, she chose to stand up for herself. My sister-in-law ran for her freedom. She fought her own battle for her freedom and i still couldn't do anything.

It's funny how even after his death my brother is supporting my Bouthan to live her life with her head up and me her Thakurpo, who she regards as the "brother-I-Never-Had" wasn't able to even protect her when she was in the darkest phase of her life.

I really don't deserve to be alive. I really-

*Sob*

What?

Was that me?

*Sob*

No it's not me, but who is it?

Who would be out so late at night, and a woman at that?

I look around to find the source of the sobbing but it's too dark for me to figure out.

I walk forward a little, when another sob makes my head turn to a small figure curled up under a tree just ten feet in front of me.

It was a girl. Her legs pulled to her chest while her head was in between the knees as she sobs.

She most probably didn't realise I was there or by now would have run away. But that is what's concerning. A girl out at such an hour is never nice.

I walked near her, I can see her clearly now. Her long hair is open and covering her entire body, almost in a cocoon. She is shivering, probably cold or because she was crying... maybe both.

I take my shawl off and approach her.

"Ei meye, tumi ekhane ki korcho? Eto raat e?" I say in the most agreeable voice.

(Hey girl, what are you doing here? This late at night?)

She flinched but remained stiff. I wrapped the shawl over her saying, "Tumi kothay thako amake bolo, amar lethel tomake shabdhane bari diye ashbe, eto raat e r bayire beriyo na dakat er cholachol ekhane bereche." I say while signalling Diganta to come forward.

(You shouldn't be out so late, there has been an increase in dacoits in this area. Tell my Guard where you stay he will take you home safely. And don't move around like this at night.)

The mention of dacoits made her flinch but this time she looked up at me.

I had always thought that possession and enchantment are the same thing, but today I know they are not.

I was possessed when my sister-in-law shed her tears, but I am enchanted by the tear-stricken doe eyes of this girl.

Absolute Enchantress trapping me in her Enchantment.

Oh! Why is it so dark? I want to see her more. A little more, a little better.

Something in her eyes is trying to pull me in. It's trying to drown me in the depths of its darkness. Into the flickering lights of her dark orbs.

If darkness is where the devil lies, then this girl has trapped the devil in her eyes. And I am happily and willingly ready to drown in them.

I am ready to remove those devils which made these eyes flood and show her the light that was hiding within these dark orbs.

"A-ap-apni..." she looks into my eyes, searching with creased brows and something flickers in hers. Fright maybe...

(Y-y-you...)

"Obviously she's going to be scared, you were staring at her like any other predator." my subconsciousness tells me.

Yah you are right.

I try to say something and calm her down when she jumps up and starts running.

"Wait!" I should and before I could say anything, my body moves on its own and I start running behind her.

'Stop! Please Madhav stop, why are you acting like this?'

I seriously didn't have an answer to that, but just my body is moving on its own. Every cell in my body is telling me to follow her, to not lose her, or it's going to be the biggest mistake of my life.

So I ran.

I can't stop myself.

"Mej Babu daran!" Diganta says while grabbing my hand to stop.

(Wait, Master!)

"Oi meye r pichu korbenna" " Ami age bujhini kintu oi meye ek ghore howa. Or sathe kotha bolle apnar amongol hobe Kotta"

(Please don't follow that girl) (I couldn't recognise her because of the darkness but she and her family is isolated)

"Tumi ki kore bujhle tahole je ei meye ta e shei ekghora howa meye?" I asked in an irritated voice.

(How did you know that she is Ekghora?)

"Maff korben kotta kintu ami apnar bhalo r jonno e apnake thamalam. Oidike onno kono bari nei. Shudhu oi ekghora meye r e bari. Tai bujlam ota ke." He said in a meek tone.

(I apologise Sire but I stopped you for your own good. There is no other house that side of the village except that girl's family)

"Tar mane tumi jano oi meye ti kothay thake?" My eyes lit up but I tried to mask it, though I probably did a bad job hiding it.

(That means you know where she lives?)

He looks up at me but then nods while bowing his head down.

"Agge ha kotta"

(Yes Sire)

"Niye cholun amay" I say in a stern voice.

(Then take me there)

"Kintu Kotta-" I cut him off before he could say anything, "Diganta" I snapped.

(But Sire-)

"Agge Kotta" he said motioning to the ground as he walked in front of me.

(As you order Sire)

"Ekghora kora meye... Ki koreche ei meye, je oke ekghore kore dewa hoyeche?" questions like these were clouding my thoughts when a loud shriek made me flinch out of the thoughts.

(An isolated girl. What did she do to be isolated?)

"Diganta! Taratari chole "I said running towards the source of this sound.

(Diganta we need to hurry)

"Ha Kotta" he said as he ran beside me.

(Yes Kotta)

What in the name of God is happening? Why does everyone I look at have to suffer? Am I that unlucky?

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter, if you did I hope you could leave a vote and comment on my story!

You can also follow me on instagram at @author.jade

See you in the next chapter! Bye!